Video Clips

Extracts from a film made by Richard Thomas and Baldwin to celebrate the coming of the National Eisteddfod to Ebbw Vale in 1958. Here we see the preparations, and the procession and rites during the Proclamation Ceremony in 1957.

An extract from the ceremony to invest a new member to the Order of Ovates (green robes) by the Archdruid Meirion at the Llanelli and District National Eisteddfod in 2000. Here Delme Thomas, former Llanelli, Wales and Lions rubgy player is being accepted as an honorary member.

'Venerable Archdruid, I present to you Mr Delme Thomas, Carmarthen - a native of the village of Bancyfelin near Carmarthen who became one of Wales' most famous rugby players in the sixties and seventies. He was chosen to captain Llanelli in the club's centenary year, 1972-73 and this is when, under his captaincy, and with Carwyn as coach , Llanelli beat the All Blacks nine points to three. It was not surprising that Delme was chosen to captain Wales during the same year. He is remembered as one of Wales's best second row forwards; to be called in Gorsedd: Delme Bancyfelin'

An extract of the Chairing ceremony in the Newport and District National Eisteddfod, 2004. The winner was Dr Huw Meirion Edwards of Llandre, Aberystwyth fod a poem in strict metre on the topic 'No Man's Land'. The Archdruid was Robyn Llŷn and the Herald Bard Dyfrig ab Ifor. The Chair was made by Bob Davies.

In this extract we see the Archdruid proclaiming the winner's name and then calling for 'Peace'

'Shout above responding shout. Is there Peace?' 'Peace'
'Heart to Heart. Is there Peace?' 'Peace'
'The Truth against the World. Is there Peace?' 'Peace'
'Let the chief bard be seated in his own Chair'

An extract from the ceremony to invest the winner of the Literary Medal in the Newport and District National Eisteddfod, 2004. Annes Glynn, from Rhiwlas near Bangor was the winning author. The Archdruid was Robyn Llŷn and the Herald Bard, Dyfrig ab Ifor.

Extracts from the cremenoies to welcome representatives of the Celtic Gorseddau and to Crown the winning poet at the Newport and District National Eisteddfod, 2004. Dr Jason Walford Davies of Bangor was the crowned poet for a poem on the topic 'Energy'. The Archdruid was Robyn Ll?n; the Recorder: Jems Niclas; the Herald Bard: Dyfrig ab Ifor; the Beraer of the Grand Sword: Ray o'r Mynydd; the trumpeters: Dewi Griffith and Paul Hughes; the presenter of the Hirlas Horn (Horn of Plenty): Diane Ebo; the presenter of the Blodeuged (gift of flowers): Eleri Mai Hallett. The Crown was made by Helga Prosser.

Text of extract:
Presentation of Celtic Gorseddau:

'Venerable Archdruid, once more we have representatives of the Celtic festivals and Gorseddau with us. Do you wish to receive them now?'

'I do, gladly.'

'Venerable Archdruid, from Brittany: Calon Brezilien a Genc'hlan.'

The Archdruid greets the representatives in Breton and says 'Welcome and thanks'

'From Cornwall, The Grand Bard and Merch Casnewydd'

Again the Archdruid greets them in Cornish and says 'Welcome and thank you for coming'.

The Archdruid explains the regalia:

'This year too, the Archdruid's robe, the Breastplate, the Sceptre, the Crown and Cynan's Ring have been refurbished and the Stola is also new'.

'We'll move on now to the Crowning ceremony. The Crown competition in the Newport and District National Eisteddfod asked for a poem or a sequence of poems not all in strict metre not over 200 lines on the theme, 'Energy''.

'Therefore let 'Brynach' stand - let the trumpets sound:'

'And I can now announce that Dr Jason Walford Davies, this new young competitor, I almost called him 'this lad', is the crowned bard in the Newport and District National Eisteddfod 2004'.

The presentation of the Hirlas Horn (Horn of Plenty):

'In the name of the homes of Newport and District prithee drink of the wine of our welcome to the Gorsedd and the Eisteddfod'

The presentation of the Blodeuged (gift of flowers):

In the name of the maidens of our country, prithee accept this Blodeuged from the land and earth of Wales'.

In AD 75, the Romans built a fortress at Caerleon that would guard the region for over 200 years. Today at the National Roman Legion Museum you can learn what made the Romans a formidable force and how life wouldn't be the same without them.